Government Not Yet Approved Jayawijaya Territory Expansion
Monday, 19 February, 2007 | 15:13 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Jigiballon, the Jayawijaya Regent, has rejected the delay in mid mountain territorial expansion in Papua.

“The aspirations for this are purely from the community, aiming to increase welfare,” he said during the Jayawijaya people’s hearing with Home Affairs Minister M. Ma’aruf, on Monday (19/2).

The event was attended by Tony Wardoyo, House of Representatives (DPR) Commission II member, Barnabas Suebu, Papua Governor, and Jhon Ibo, Papua Legislative Council Chairman, and held at the Sentani Indah Hotel.

Jigiballon said that the Jayawijaya mid mountains territorial expansion was already appropriate, adding: The land potential and Arabica coffee production are sufficient.”

Penias, Jayawijaya Legislative Council Deputy Chairman, asked the central government to prepare a budget for expansion in Papua during its formulation of the State Budget.

“We ask the government to give a concrete explanation, yes or no,” he said.

Home Affairs Minister M. Ma’ruf explained that the government would still process the proposal, adding: “We are only delaying the expansion temporarily.”

The reason is there are already 148 regencies that have been expanded since 1999, and most of them are considered not to be successful yet.

“In addition, the President has instructed to be careful, precise and punctilious in expanding a region,” he said.

Eko Ari Wibowo